Wes Mendes Selected 57th by Astros in MLB Draft

Florida State Baseball’s Rising Stars

During the 2025 season, the Florida State baseball team showcased three weekend starters from Jesuit High School in Tampa. Among them, Wes Mendes has now joined his former teammates Jamie Arnold and Joey Volini as a Major League Baseball (MLB) draft pick.

Mendes, who was the ace of the Seminoles’ staff in 2026 and the ACC Pitcher of the Year, was selected in the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday as the 57th overall pick by the Houston Astros. According to the MLB Draft tracker, Mendes is expected to receive $1.68 million in bonus pool money for this selection.

He became the first pick of the day for Florida State, and it’s anticipated that more names from the team will be called during the remaining 16 rounds of the draft on Saturday and Sunday.

A Stellar Season for Mendes

Mendes, who served as the Sunday starter behind Arnold and Volini in 2025, delivered a 2026 season that was arguably just as impressive as Arnold’s prior to his first-round selection. The left-handed pitcher finished the season with a record of 9-3 and a 2.81 ERA in 16 starts. He struck out 125 batters in 93 innings while allowing only 25 walks and 70 hits. His performance earned him multiple All-America honors and the ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.

Despite a weather delay in the NCAA Regional in May, Mendes managed to pitch four innings in the elimination game against Coastal Carolina. In those four innings, he allowed one run on two hits while striking out eight batters. This dominant performance marked what is likely his final appearance at Dick Howser Stadium.

Insights from ‘K Time’ Podcast

Florida State baseball fans can stay updated through the team’s video/podcast show, ‘K Time,’ featuring Chris Chavez and Corey Clark. The latest episode covers updates on Florida State baseball portal activity and provides a preview and analysis of the MLB Draft. Viewers can watch the episode below:

[VIDEO LINK]

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